Dogfish Head promotes CEO from within, Calagione still president

Interesting leadership moves afoot at the country’s 13th largest craft beer producer. Dogfish Head Brewery has promoted Nick Benz to CEO from his previous position of COO.

You may have thought something was up, from the audible, collective gasp of the industry when the news was announced, but know this: Sam Calagione has neither stepped aside, nor down (as you can hear below). Calagione, the founder of Dogfish Head and one of the standout innovators and personalities in the craft beer industry, will remain as president and chairman of the board.

Dogfish Head, according to Sam Calagione, has never had a CEO until now. He has always been in the role of president and will continue to do so. Benz will be reporting to Calagione. Benz has been at Dogfish Head for 11 years and has been chief operating officer since 2006.

“Dogfish would still be here in some iteration on some scale, still off-centered and still flying our freak flag if it weren’t for Nick. But with Nick here, Dogfish has become a stronger, more operationally excellent company. I’m very thankful for what Nick is contributing to our journey,” Calagione said in a release.